Shuffle

Scuttlebutt going around the web says that Apple might be planning to kill off a couple of the iPods in its lineup that have been around for a long time. According to TUAW the two iPods that its source says are getting the axe are the iPod classic and the iPod shuffle. Apparently on the last earnings call Apple dropped a mention that there would be a product transition. What products would be in transition weren't specified on the call. I think many of us though the talk was of the new iPhone 5.

As expected, Apple have unveiled a new iPod Shuffle 4GB, throwing out the control wheel in the process and introducing VoiceOver, a new feature which reads out tracklistings at a touch of the in-line button on the headphones. Apple describe the new iPod Shuffle 4GB as being the world's smallest music player, measuring 45.2 x 17.5 x 7.8mm.

Just over a week since the last major update, and the Apple Store is once again down for "updating". According to the rumors, when it returns we'll see a new, 4GB iPod Shuffle available in black and silver.

The Simpsons have been around long enough that they could slap their name on just about anything and it’d end up selling to several of their faithful fans. Well now they’re getting into technology and selling custom engraved iPods.

Granted, they will quite obviously cost a little extra, but this limited edition set is definitely worth a look. They are selling a few different styles that are engraved onto different sizes of iPods.

Creative has taken time out from licking its class-action wounds to stuff a few more gigabytes into their Shuffle-rival, the MuVo T200. The PMP, which previously had only been available with 2GB, will now come in a 4GB version. Unlike Apple’s entry-level MP3 player, the T200 has a compact 128 x 32 pixels 65k color display.

I remember a day when just having an iPod was a statement, but now it’s more about your iPod accessories, or at least it seems that way. In any case, Case-Mate has a new line of leather cases for your iPod Shuffle to give it and you that extra bit of flair.

So you already have an iPod or iPhone, but you want it blinged out a bit without dolling out thousands of dollars, well, the Gilty Couture collection has you covered, well they actually have your iPod covered, but you get the idea. Anyways, you can buy a case for your iPod or iPhone from these folks in various metals/crystal colors and they all look amazing.

So first, the Zen Stone came out from Creative, and the fact that it wasn’t an Apple product, combined with the fact that it was the same size, with similar functionality as the Shuffle, and it was slightly cheaper, well that was enough to help the original model sell a good number of units. Well now it appears Creative is besting Apple’s Shuffle in more areas than price.

In fact they are fixing one of the few flaws of the shuffle, the lack of a screen for navigational purposes. Then they are upping the storage to iPod Nano levels with 4GB for the Zen Stone Plus.

So, Apple has a little shindig (who am I kidding, these things are never “little”) planned for September 5th. The announcements are expected to be primarily music based, as such, there is info running around saying that the only update to the Shuffle line could come in the form of a new paint job.

So they have the possible iPhone-like iPod being announced, a fat Nano that might rear its ugly head, and then what about the Shuffle? Well instead of leaving it well enough alone they are going to add the player to the PRODUCT (RED) line, so it’s a win-win, Apple doesn’t have to leave any of its line of players out of the announcement and they get to do some charity work.